Flatmate wanted and rental listing scams

How the flatmate wanted or rental scam works

1. An unsuspecting member creates a flatmates wanted or rental listing on Trade Me.
2. The scammer says they're interested in the room or rental. 
3. The scammer makes an excuse about why they can’t come to a viewing in person. They offer to pay the bond immediately without seeing the room or property. 
4. They pay quickly, but it's too much. This payment is often made with stolen credit cards or a compromised bank account.
5. The scammer asks the other member to repay the overpayment via Western Union, PayPal, Moneygram, or another overseas payment service instead of back to the account it came from. This is how the scammer gets you to move their stolen money for them.
6. The bank realises the original payment was dodgy and reverses it from the other member's account. 
7. But it’s too late, the other member already made the second payment and is now left out of pocket.

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Warning signs of the flatmate wanted or rental scam

If you're looking for a flatmate or renter, watch out for these red flags:

• Someone wants to pay the bond without seeing the place. They might make an excuse for why they can't come to a viewing, like being overseas for medical school or home for the summer break. 
• Someone pays more than the bond and wants you to send the money back to a different account.
• Someone asks you to use an overseas money transfer service (like Western Union, PayPal, or MoneyGram) instead of a regular New Zealand bank transfer.

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Stay safe when listing a flat or rental 

• Always meet potential flatmate or renter in person. 
• Never send money using overseas payment services like Western Union, PayPal, or MoneyGram.
• If someone overpays you, talk to your bank before you send any money back.
  Don't give anyone personal documents (like tenancy agreements) until you've met them.

If you find a listing that looks like a scam, report it through Community Watch. 

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